On the opening day of Florida’s legislative term, the state’s new Republican leaders signaled a significant shift in priorities. House Speaker Danny Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton turned their attention away from typical GOP culture war topics, instead launching sharp criticisms against insurance companies and corporate investors, framing affordability and accountability as their top concerns for the next two years. This new populist tone has drawn praise from across the political aisle.
A Stern Warning to the Insurance Industry
Senate President Ben Albritton did not mince words when addressing Florida’s insurance companies. He issued a direct warning about the timely payment of claims to residents impacted by disasters.
“I want to make sure that impacted Floridians and insurance companies hear me loudly and clearly — we are watching,” Albritton declared to applause. This statement reflects a growing public frustration with skyrocketing premiums and frequent claim denials, which have plagued the state for years.
House Speaker Danny Perez supported this tough stance, stating that Floridians are tired of having “insurance laws written by insurance companies.” His comments suggest a new willingness within the GOP leadership to re-examine and possibly overhaul previous reforms that critics, including former President Donald Trump, have labeled as a “bailout” for the insurance industry.
Bipartisan Support for Corporate Accountability
The strong language against corporate interests was met with surprise and approval from Democratic leaders, who have long advocated for such measures.
“When’s the last time you heard a [Senate] president talk about holding a professional organization accountable?” asked Senate Minority Leader Jason Pizzo, highlighting the unusual nature of Albritton’s speech.
House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell also expressed her support for the new direction. “For too long, Republicans in Tallahassee have placed the wish list of insurance companies ahead of the needs of homeowners,” she said. Driskell added that she is hopeful this change in tone will result in real, meaningful reforms that benefit everyday Floridians.
Tackling Florida’s Affordability Crisis
House Speaker Perez, the 37-year-old son of Cuban immigrants, has made “affordability” the central theme of his two-year term. He voiced concerns that the rising cost of living, especially for housing, is threatening to drive away the state’s next generation of workers.
Perez specifically called out private equity firms for their role in the housing crisis. A recent investigation found that corporate investors own 117,000 homes across Florida. “Floridians want to own their own homes, not be tenants to private equity firms,” Perez asserted.
However, there isn’t complete agreement on this issue within the GOP leadership. The table below shows a comparison of the leaders’ views on key affordability topics.
| Issue | House Speaker Danny Perez | Senate President Ben Albritton |
|---|---|---|
| Corporate Landlords | Views them as a major contributor to the housing crisis and wants to address the issue. | Considers it a “free market” matter and is less inclined to intervene. |
| Primary Focus | Statewide affordability, particularly housing for the workforce. | A “rural renaissance” focusing on agriculture and citrus. |
While Perez targets Wall Street’s impact on housing, Senate President Albritton, a fourth-generation citrus farmer, is more focused on revitalizing Florida’s agricultural sector.
Reshaping Legislative Norms and Priorities
Both leaders have pledged to change how business is conducted in Tallahassee. Albritton called for more thorough research before passing major legislation, pointing to years of insurance laws that were enacted without clear evidence of their effectiveness.
Speaker Perez is focused on increasing transparency and reducing the influence of special interests. He announced new rules for the House, including:
- Banning former legislators who now represent corporate interests from being on the chamber floor during sessions.
- Closing a “loophole” that he said allowed for “de facto lobbying.”
Despite this new focus on accountability and affordability, the leaders have indicated that some major issues are off the table. They declined Governor Ron DeSantis’s request for a special session on condominium safety, opting to handle it during the regular session. Furthermore, they have no plans to take up voter-supported amendments on recreational marijuana or abortion rights.
